Rogers names Messi, Ronaldo and Neymar as his top three players

Rogers has weighed in on the eternal football debate, naming his ultimate top three players of all time as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Neymar. Speaking candidly about his encounters on the pitch, the 24-year-old opened up about facing Messi during last summer’s FIFA World Cup semi-final, where England fell to a 2-1 defeat following two crucial assists from the iconic playmaker.

Despite Messi’s incredible longevity and his recent nomination for the 2026 Ballon d’Or shortlist—which followed a stellar campaign in North America capped by Argentina reaching the final before a 1-0 defeat to Spain—Rogers admitted he still leans toward Ronaldo as his personal favourite.

“Right now, at this moment in time, Ronaldo and Messi are clear one and two, have to be,” Rogers told CFC Unlocked. “So Ronaldo’s my personal favourite, but I played Messi in the World Cup semi-final. He’s 39; I couldn’t believe it, I couldn’t believe it.”

Facing Messi and Imagining Him in His Prime

The Stamford Bridge star admitted that competing against the legendary Argentine left a lasting impression, particularly considering Messi was nearing the end of his illustrious international career. Argentina’s eventual World Cup semi-final victory over England marked one of the final chapters for the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain maestro.

“I can imagine him in his prime, being absolutely nothing you could do, like it’s impossible,” Rogers added. “Because there was borderline nothing you could do in that game and he’s 39 and he’s just retired from international football, that was his second-to-last game ever.”

For over a decade, Messi and Ronaldo’s dominance of the Ballon d’Or completely reshaped individual accolades in world football, locking numerous generational talents out of the sport’s most coveted prize.

Completing the Top Three With Neymar

Among those brilliant talents whose primes coincided with the duopoly was Brazilian icon Neymar, who secured third place in the Ballon d’Or voting in both 2015 and 2017. For Rogers, the forward easily rounds out his personal podium.

“My personal one would be Neymar,” Rogers said. “For someone to watch, and his ability and everything. For me, he can do everything with a football. For me, there’s nothing he can’t do, nothing. So that’s my personal three. Me growing up at my age, I understand there’s loads that can be in the conversation, but they’re my three.”

Current Form and Upcoming Fixtures at Chelsea

Away from international reflections, Rogers has enjoyed a prolific start to the domestic campaign at Stamford Bridge, contributing three goals and four assists across seven appearances in all competitions. Chelsea currently sit tenth in the Premier League standings following an inconsistent run that has yielded two wins, two losses, and one draw since the arrival of new head coach Xabi Alonso.

The Blues will look to find their rhythm when domestic action resumes following the international break, facing Bournemouth on Saturday, October 10.